Girls' Brigade Supporters Club

What is one, what do they do, what should they be, and how does this fit in with Girls' Brigade??  Are all questions you might be asking.

"Supporters groups or supporters clubs are independent fan clubs... Supporters' groups in Europe are generally known as Ultras which derives from the Latin word deriving from ultrā, meaning beyond in English, with the implication that their enthusiasm is 'beyond' the normal.... Supporters' groups and ultras are renowned for their fanatical vocal support in large groups, defiance of the authorities and the display of banners at stadiums, which are used to create an atmosphere which intimidates opposing players and supporters, as well as encouraging their own team."

Wikipedia

Hmmm...so supporters clubs do seem to be a bit sports orientated.  Maybe Alumni would suit Girls' Brigade better...

"An alumnus (masculine, plural 'alumni') or alumna (feminine, plural 'alumnae') is a graduate of a school, college, or university.  An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate, as well as a former student.  If a group includes both sexes, even if there is only one male, the male plural form alumni is used."

Wikipedia

It does seem not many know much about the GB Supporters Club - so we hope to change this next year!!  If you were going to be a part of any supporters club what would you want in return for your support?

From the GBNZ website:

GB New Zealand is now providing a special opportunity for people to remember and support Girls' Brigade in New Zealand.

Maybe you were once a Girls' Brigader or you had someone close to you who greatly benefited from being involved in Girls' Brigade. For only a small membership fee paid once a year, you can become a part of a growing community of people online who remember and support Girls' Brigade.

GB Supporters members
are kept up-to-date with GB through the GB Supporters magazine.
have a say in how their financial support is used.
can choose from several ways of supporting GB.

The GB Supporters Club provides
funds for tasks which have no other source of funding e.g. fieldwork.
prayer and practical support.
publicity for GB.
a network to keep in touch with other GB Supporters.

The membership fee is only twenty ($20.00) New Zealand dollars paid once a year.
How to become a Member:
Please Contact GB Support Centre to join the GB Supporters.

Random(ish) Acts of Kindness

So I know we only finished GB for the year last night, but I'm already starting to think about next year!  And being on the GB Programme Team means for me that if I'm going to prepare a badge subject for our company I might as well do it properly, test it, and send it out nationally.

I really believe that as a company we do not do enough service in our local community, which is silly really because as well as helping our community it is great publicity.  The thing that always stops me is memories of a girl singing songs at Rest Homes - I think retirement homes can be quite scary as a kid - plus if you know me I don't really like singing!

Trying to think of something to do for up to 6 weeks as a service idea seemed hard to me, and this got me thinking along the lines of random acts of kindness - simple things to brighten someone's day.  And I thought actually I/we could do that!!

• Take cookies or muffins and a signed card to the local police or fire station, to say thank you for the awesome work they do.
• Make cards or craft and take to retirement centre - ask the manager to give them out to people who might like them to brighten their day.
• Collect food items and drop them off at City Mission or foodbank.
• Make cards and/or gifts and drop them off in surrounding neighbours letterboxes.
• Make some muffins and drop them off to the local librarian.
• Clean up at a local park.
• Collect unused toys from the girls and donate them to Starship, doctors, womens refuge etc
• Pray!
• Plant a tree.
• Love your church, make or do something for your church.
• Secret Santa...or secret gb friend?
• Cross a generation - have a grandparents night
• Create a thank you gift for someone, or create a thankyou chart/craft to show everything the girls are thankful for.

So the challenge is on, I would like to see if we can do as many GB subjects for 2014 as possible with the idea of serving our local community - lets get out there!